High frequency antenna switch



Sept 2, gl L. c. EVERETT Erm. 2,2 ,93

HIGH FREQUENCY ANTENNA SWITCH Filed Jan. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- v/wU-e/L/ ATTORNEY 'Sepf.2,1941. L. rc. EVERETT mL' 2,254,693

HIGH FREQUENCY ANTENNA SWITCH Filed Jan. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I7. 3I j? l Patente Sept. 2, El

HIGH FREQUENCY ANTENNA SWITCH Lynn Cory Everett and Joseph HerbertShannon, Upper Montclair, N. J., and James L. Finch, latcliog-ue,4 N.YJ, asslgnors to Radio Corporation of America. a corporation of DelawareApplication January 13, 1939, Serial No. 250,672

9 Claims.

-This invention relates to an improved switch for switching of a radioantenna to a radio transmitter, or a plurality of antennas to one ormore radio transmitters.

An object of this invention is to provide an effective means toselectively connect an antenna to one of several transmitters or to acommon ground connection.

Another object. of this invention is to provide a simple and eillcientantenna switch for connecting one transmitter to one of severalantennas.

A novel feature of this invention is the arrangement of a flexibleconductor terminating in a contacting portion which makes contact with aplurality of clip-like contact members.

High frequency antenna switches known in the y.

prior art have followed the general features of switches used in theelectrical power industry, which type of switches have decidedlimitations when used in some of the more modern types of v is closelymatched to that of the transmission line connectin the' transmitter tothe antenna.

This invention will best be understood by referring to thev accompanyingdrawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of the antenna switchingarrangement. Y

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1; j Fig. 3 is a detail showing thearrangement f the free end of the antenna switch; and Fig. 4 is a planview of Fig. 3. Referring now in detail to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, it willbe seen that the switch of this invention consists of a pair of flexiblelinks yI and 2 Aof conducting wires of approximately the same diameteror cross-section as that of the transmission line 3. Members I and 2 arespaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the wires 3 of thetransmission line. The upper or fixed ends a sliding cone-like memberIl, provided with longitudinal cuts radial to the axis tol furnishilexibility to the cone member, which may be guided into one of thestationary blocks l having inner recesses shaped to lit the slidingcone. The radial slots are carried down to the narrowed neck where thediameter is reduced in order to provide flexibility to each segment ofthe cone. The cone is a ground fit within the stationary member l. Whenthe cone is forced up into member l, the individual segments flex at theneck and are forced inward radially to makea good electrical contactbetween the rod I3 and the sta-.

tionary member 1. Each one of the contact blocks is mounted on astandoff insulator 8, having flanges 8', togetherA with a slottedinsulating guide member 9 for guiding the flexible link.

A terminal Ill` is provided for connecting a conductor to one terminalof a transmitter. Directly below the cone-contact member 6 is anoperating handle in the form of an insulated tube II within which islocated a compression spring I2 arranged to exert a pressure on thesliding cone 8 and` hold it in position in any one of the se'- iectedcontact blocks l, the lower end of flexible link members I and 2 beingprovided with a threaded stud I3 and a nut i4 by means of which springmember I2 is secured. In the lower portion of the insulating tube .Il islocated a small dowel or pin I5. An additional pair of blocks- It areprovided in the central portion or grounding arrangement, and areconnected together by means of a common conductor' Il to ground I 8 Theswitch isoperated by means of a wooden `rod (not shown) having two hookson the ends -for engaging a pin I6,vby means of which-the sliding coneand its housing II ispulled down against the spring pressure a distancewhich will permit the cone 8 to clear the contact block 7. Contact blockII is slotted to allow the rod at one end of the link to pass freely.The link may then be moved to another desired contact block, guided tothe position by the rod guide, and

the spring compression released.

'This inventionl should not be limited to the precise embodiment shown.

\ What is claimed is: v

l. A high frequency switch comprising a ilexible conductor'having a xedand a free end, an

insulator secured to said xed end for insulatingly and pivotallysupporting said conductor, a rigid metallic member secured to the freeend of said conductor, a sliding contact portion surrounding said rigidmetallic member, a plurality of insulators located in the zone of saidfree end. a plurality oi' fixed contactmembers secured to saidlast-mentioned insulators, and

means on said ilxed contact members for engag-y ing the slidingcontacting portion on said rigid member for selectively switching thesliding contacting portion from one fixed contact to lanother.

2. A high frequency switch comprising a vilexible conductor having afixed and a free end, an

. insulator secured to said fixed end for insulating- 1y and pivotallysupporting said conductor, a rigid metallic member secured to the freeend of said conductor, a sliding contact portion surrounding said rigidmetallic member, an insulating member surrounding said'rigid metallicmember and secured to said sliding contacting portion for insulating thefree end of said flexible con.

ductor, a plurality of insulators located in the zone of said free end,a plurality oi' iixed contact members secured to said last-mentionedinsulators, and means on said fixed contact members for engaging thesliding contacting portion on said conductor for selectively switchingthe sliding contacting portion from one fixed contact to another.

3. A high frequency switch comprising a iiexible conductor having afixed and a free end, an insulator secured to said fixed end forinsulatingly and pivotally supporting said conductor, a rigid metallic'member secured to the free end of said conductor, a sliding contactportion surrounding said rigid metallic member, an insulating membersurrounding said rigid metallic member and secured to said slidingcontacting portion for insulating the free end of said flexibleconductor, a spring element for maintaining said sliding contactingportion in contact engagement and located within said insulating memberand surrounding said rigid metallic member, a plurality of insulatorslocated-in the zone of said free end, a. plurality of fixed contactmembers secured to said last-mentioned insulators, and means on said xedcontact members for engaging the sliding contacting portion on saidconductor forselectively switching the sliding contacting portion fromone fixed contact to another.

4. A high frequency antenna switch comprising a pair of flexible antennacurrent conducting members, each exible conducting member having a iixedand a free end, an insulator secured to said fixed end for insulatinglyand pivotally supporting said conductors, a rigid metallic membersecured to the free end of said conductors, a sliding contacting portionsurrounding said rigid metallic members, a plurality of insulatorsarranged in pairs and located in the zone of the free ends, a pluralityof fixed contact members secured to said last-mentioned insulators, andmeans on said fixed contact members for engaging the sliding contactingportion on said conductor for selectively switching the antennabychanging the sliding contacting portion from one pair oi contacts toanother.

5. A high frequency switch comprising a iiexible conductor having a nxedand a free end, a vrod-like insulator secured to said xed end forinsulatingly and pivotally supporting said conductor, a rigid metallicmember securedto the free end of said conductor, a hollow slidingcontacting portion surrounding said rigid member, a hollow insulatorhandle surrounding said rigid member and secured to said contactingportion, operating engagement means located on said insulating handle, aplurality o! rod-like insulators located in the zone of said free end, aplurality of fixed contact members secured to said last-mentionedrod-like insulators, and means on said iixed contact members forengaging the sliding contacting portion on said conductor forselectively switching the sliding contacting portion from one fixedcontact to another.

6. A high frequency antenna switch comprising a pair of flexible antennacurrent conducting members, each rone having a. xed end and a free end,an antenna connected to said fixed end of each one of said flexibleconducting members, a hollow movable contact member slidably secured tothe free end of each ilexible conducting member, an insulating membersecured to said contact member for insulating the free end of saidantenna current conducting members, three groups of fixed contactmembers arranged in pairs, the center group ofthe fixed contact membersconnected to a common ground, each one of the outer group of fixedcontact members connected to a radio transmitter, said movable contactmembers arranged on said pair of exible antenna conducting members forselectively switching said antenna to a radio transmitter or to ground.

7. A high frequency antenna switch comprising a pair of iiexible antennacurrent conducting members, each one having a fixed end and a. free end,a rod connected to the free end of each one of said antenna currentconducting members, a sliding contact portion surrounding said rod,

an insulating member secured to said sliding contact portion, a springelement within said insulating member to insulate the free end of saidantenna current conducting member, and a plurality of iixed contactmembers supported by insulating means for selectively switching thesliding contact portion of said antenna current conducting member fromone fixed contact to another. l

8. A high frequency antenna switch .comprising va pair of nexibleantenna current conducting members, each one having a fixed end and afree end, said free end terminating in a rigid 'contact portion,comprising a rod-like member surrounded by a sliding cone, an insulatingmember secured to said slidable cone to insulate the free end of saidantenna current conducting member, a spring member within saidinsulating member for maintaining said sliding cone in contactengagement with said fixed contact member, a threaded nut located at thefar end of said rodlike member for applying compression to said springelement, a plurality of iixed contact members, a hollow cone arranged tofit said sliding cone, insulating means for supporting said fixedcontact members, said sliding cone arranged on the free end of saidiiexible conducting members for selectively switching the contactingportion of said antenna current conducting member from one contact toanother.

9. A high frequency antenna switch comprising a pair of flexible antennacurrent conducting members, each one having a xed end and a free endterminating in a rigid contacting portion, comprising a rod-like member,a sliding cone having a plurality of radial slots surrounding saidrod-like member, an insulating member secured to said sliding cone toinsulate the free end of said antenna current conducting member, aplurality of iixed contact members having an inner recess shaped to fitsaid sliding cone, said contact members supported by insulating means, aspring element located within said insulating member, a threaded nut atthe far end of said rod-like member for applying compression to saidspring element for maintaining said sliding cone in contact engagementwith said fixed contact members for selectively switching the contactingportion of said antenna current conducting member from one iixed contactto another.

, LYNN CORY EV'ERE'I'I.

JSEPH HERBERT SHANNON. JAMES L. FETCH.

